Prince William & Kate Middleton’s Latest Staffing Update Suggests Middleton Is Slowly Getting Back To Work
Kate Middleton has been slowly but surely making her way back into the public eye as her health allows, making one of her rare public appearances following her cancer diagnosis at Wimbledon 2024 on July 14. While it seems like the Princess of Wales was only briefly popping into the public eye, the most recent job listing on their site suggests that she could be trying to get back to work once the summer is over, if her health permits, alongside her husband Prince William.
Their official website recently posted an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Private Secretary for Wales & UK. The role, posted on July 19, involves planning and delivering most of the royal engagements in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on Wales. “You will have a proactive, hands-on approach while operating in a small and agile team, and a strong understanding of Welsh communities, affairs, government, and business. Conversational Welsh is essential, and fluent Welsh, both written and spoken, is desirable,” reads the job listing.
The royal couple’s recent activities and public engagements have garnered them some attention, to put it lightly. The Royal Family’s X account reported on July 12 that Princess Anne had begun “a gradual return to duties today with a visit to @RDAnational’s Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.” The following day, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ account quote-tweeted the post, adding, “Super trooper! So great to see you back so soon! W & C x.” However, many people criticized this well-meaning message because the palace was reluctant to share details about Princess Anne’s reported head injury from a horse accident.
There have also been calls from social media at large demanding updates from the royal family on Middleton’s health status. At the end of May, Middleton has “turned a corner,” according to a family friend, because she’s finally “tolerating the medication.” They added, “It has, of course, been a very challenging and worrying time. Everyone has rallied around her — William, her parents, and her sister and brother.”
While Middleton is taking cautious steps towards resuming her responsibilities, Prince William has been dedicatedly learning Welsh since 2022, shortly after Queen Elizabeth’s passing (and his and Middleton’s inheritance of a Wales country estate.) Learning Welsh is no easy feat, and William’s efforts have included practicing phrases like “paned” (a cup, such as of tea) and “bara brith” (traditional Welsh tea bread), Rev. Steven Bunting, who hosted the couple in Swansea during a visit back in 2022, told People at the time. This dedication follows a tradition set by King Charles III, who learned Welsh at the age of 19 leading up to his investiture ceremony when he formally became Prince of Wales in 1969.
However, there’s acknowledgment within the royal circles that Prince William has some catching up to do. BBC journalist Huw Thomas commented in June 2023 that Prince William’s relationship with Wales needed improvement, stating, “The public perception isn’t that great right now. The impression I get as well is that, after the coronation, there’s going to be a bit of a supercharge on the relationship of William with Wales.”
Given everything that the Prince and Princess of Wales are grappling with not only with Middleton’s health, but the media, it makes sense that they are looking for someone to assist in yet another social media position. Here’s hoping that the position will free up some previous time for Middleton to continue to focus on her recovery.
Before you go, click here to see more of Kate Middleton’s best royal fashion moments.